Following India’s 3-1 series defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that the decision regarding the future of senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Test cricket rests with the players themselves. During a post-series press conference, Gambhir emphasized the players’ experience and capability to make choices that are in the best interest of Indian cricket.
“They are tough individuals with immense hunger for the game,” said Gambhir, acknowledging both players’ commitment. “They’ll decide what is best for Indian cricket,” he added. Both Kohli and Rohit faced challenges during the series, with Kohli struggling for consistency despite a century in Perth, while Rohit managed just 31 runs across five innings before stepping down from the final Test due to poor form.
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India’s performance under the leadership of Gambhir and Rohit has been underwhelming, with only three wins in the last ten Tests, including a home series loss to New Zealand and an away defeat to Australia. These results have raised concerns about the team’s rebuilding process ahead of the ICC World Test Championship.
With no upcoming Test series until June 2025, when India tours England for five matches, the team has a long window to plan their strategy. Gambhir emphasized the importance of focusing on the future and refraining from immediate judgments, saying, “A lot can change in five months – form, attitude, and strategy.”
Gambhir also hinted that younger players may be given an opportunity to step up, but stressed that team selection should be based on fairness and harmony. “My job is to be fair to everyone in the dressing room, whether it’s a debutant or someone with 100 matches,” he said. He also encouraged players to participate in the Ranji Trophy to demonstrate their commitment to Test cricket, as the domestic competition resumes on January 23.
India now shifts its focus to the T20I and ODI series against England at home in January-February, followed by their participation in the Champions Trophy in the UAE. Meanwhile, Australia’s dominant performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has secured their place in the ICC World Test Championship final, where they will face South Africa in June 2025.
